Making Formula

Hi, I’m just wondering how everyone makes up their formula without a prep machine and for out and about.

I’ve been making bottles at room temp, pouring boiled water into the bottles and then adding the formula later on when babies ready for a feed and just feeding it at room temp.

My baby is now having comfort milk and I noticed it’s not mixing correctly this way. Does anyone make up formula using part room temp and part boiling water? I tried it this way today and it’s mixed really well, I just worry about harming my baby.

I don’t see how the correct way to make the formula can be followed, it doesn’t seem practical to me as my daughter doesn’t eat at set times and isn’t going to wait half an hour for a kettle to cool.

Comments (7)

The hv told us that becuase the powder isn't sterile we need to put the powder in before it reduces in temp below 70c, otherwise it doesn't kill off any bacteria. We boil the kettle and then have a flask which keeps it hot for 12 hrs. Saves abit of time then boiling the kettle each time. Our lo drinks mainly every 3 hours in the day so normally we can make them before she wakes, but if she fancies one sooner then it's all hand on deck as she's a screamer when she wants milk!

We are planning a trip to the zoo next week as we have a older son so we will take ready made formula for the day. Yesterday the hv said we can sterilise the bottles before we go and put the bottles together and they will stay sterile as I was worried how we would sterilise the bottles being out. We do have some microwave bags but then you need a microwave 😂😂

2 thermal flasks. 1 with fresh boiled water 1 will cool boiled water. Take sterile bottles at power to 1/2 the amount you’d normally give (2fl oz when having 4fl oz bottle) swirl/shake up, then top up with cool. Don’t forget the powder means you’ll actually be measuring approx 1/2fl oz more each bottle so my 4fl oz always looks like 4 1/2 once done.

This way you sterilise the powder & make to room temp to drink! I always have cool water ready for an unexpected trip out. Just boil the kettle (usually I do this when I make his 4am bottle but I can do it at 8am provided I’m not leaving the house before 11). Usually you can get boiled water when out so that doesn’t bother me so much but I’ll boil the kettle whilst I get us ready to leave then add it to my ‘hot’ thermos as we exit!

I also follow the prep and measure the power directly to the bottles before we leave but strictly speaking you should have small pots to add the powder to the water...it’s just an extra thing to pack 🤷🏻‍♀️

If I am likely to use the bottle within 2 hours I just make it as normal, luckily my little man isn't fussy about warm milk.

I went to the zoo on wednesday and just took ready made bottles (the 200ml ones).

I'm going a picnic on Wednesday and will take a flask of boiled water a flask of cooled boiled water and milk powder and make my bottles up with 1 or 2 oz of boiled water powder then cooled water (like the prep machines make it).

If going to a friend's or similar I take a flask of cooled water and the powder and make up as above. Its also how i do bottles overnight as well with 2 flasks and powder. Saves trips up and down the stairs and saves wairing for bottles to cool with an impatient and hungry little man.

My little girl is 7 weeks and on 6 oz so I book the kettle put in 2oz of boiling water , put the formula in and shake well. Then I have cooled boiled water that I’ve made previously and add 4 oz of that and it’s at the right temp to drink right away. If I’m out and can’t get boiling water I’ll use 6oz of cooled boiled water x

My midwife told me to use the same method you've said using made up bottles and adding powder when required. The comfort milk requires more shaking and potentially (depending on your bottles) larger teats to go through as it is thicker.

She said that room temperature is good as having warm milk could potentially lead to fussy babies who will only ever drink warm milk. How true that is I don't know.

I’d definitely make sure the powder is mixed with water 70 degrees c or above due to bacteria risk however for a quick feed out and about, take a spare sterile bottle, fill with hot water (70c+), place in the fridge to cool (best overnight). Then:
Take a flask of boiling water,
The bottle of cool boiled water from the fridge
Powder pots
As many bottles for feeds as you need.

To make up the bottle pour 50% of boiling water required, mix in powder and shake, top up remaining 50% with cool boiled water. Serve straight away .

Alternatively if this is too much faffing, check if your formula does ready made formula. It is expensive and beware that this milk seems to not agre with many babies, making them sick but if it works for you and it’s easier then that’s great.

I make it hot with the prep machine and take it in a cool bag and use it within 3 hours (2 if she's sucked it as per the box) and then take a bottle of ready made ("portamoo") if we need further feeds.

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